California enacts AI regulations amid GOP opposition to controls

California is advancing AI regulation aggressively, with legislation like Senate Bill 53 requiring large AI developers to disclose risk assessment frameworks, positioning the state as a potential national standard bearer for AI oversight. This contrasts sharply with President Trump and GOP lawmakers' push to remove regulations they see as barriers to innovation, highlighting a national conflict over AI governance. California’s unique role as the home of Silicon Valley amplifies its influence, but White House officials caution against California setting AI rules for the entire country. Separately, the European Commission has reminded Big Tech companies, including Google, Meta, and Microsoft, of their obligations under the Digital Markets Act to ensure fair competition and transparency in AI services, aiming to prevent data misuse and dominance in the AI market. Additionally, California passed Senate Bill 771 imposing civil penalties on large social media platforms for promoting violent or extremist content algorithmically, sparking debate over free speech and censorship concerns. These developments underscore the growing global tension between fostering AI innovation, regulating its risks, and protecting rights and competition.